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Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business Insider
I moved from Philadelphia to Washington, DC, 20 years ago. I love my new city, but I miss so many things about my hometown.
I was born and raised in Philadelphia. My family has called the Pennsylvania city home for generations, ever since my great-grandparents fled persecution in Europe. We developed deep, permanent roots in the City of Brotherly Love that welcomed us with open arms — until I broke family tradition and left. About 20 years ago, I moved to Washington, DC, for law school. I still thought I'd end up back in Philly, but I got married, had children, and laid my own deep roots in DC instead. I love the life I've built with my family here and have no plans to leave — but when I visit Philadelphia, I'm reminded of everything I miss about my hometown. Philadelphia has a much stronger sense of community Like my family, many Philadelphians have roots in the city that go back 100 years or more. As a result, even though Philly is about twice the size of DC, it has a small-town feel. Whenever I visit Philadelphia, it's not unusual for me to run into someone I know from high school or a family friend when I'm dining out or running errands. So, yes, local connections are strong, but that doesn't mean outsiders aren't welcome. Transplants to Philadelphia are almost always warmly embraced as part of the community. There's a real sense that we look out for our own in Philadelphia that I haven't experienced in DC. I think the transient nature of DC makes it harder to replicate the sense of community I've found in Philadelphia. Although there are many families who have lived in the nation's capital for generations, people frequently move in and out of my Northwest DC neighborhood. My children are constantly saying goodbye to good friends because their parents' jobs that brought them to this city are now taking them elsewhere. I've also lost many good friends this way. Although it's nice always being able to meet someone new, I miss the community that comes from spending years going through different stages of life together. DC has incredible restaurants, but I still think the food is better in Philadelphia Washington, DC, has many great places to eat, including several with Michelin stars. I especially love dining at the many legendary José Andrés restaurants scattered throughout the city. Plus, it's hard to beat local favorites like Ben's Chili Bowl and the famous slices of "jumbo pizza" that are bigger than my head. Although Philadelphia doesn't have any Michelin stars yet, I think its food scene is superior to DC's. It has plenty of world-class restaurants that are on par with the best of José Andrés' DC empire — but it's impossible to match Philly's famous local specialties like hoagies, cheesesteaks, tomato pie, and water ice. There's no place quite like Reading Terminal Market, an atypical food court full of authentic Philadelphia specialties and local vendors. I also haven't come across anything like Philly's charming small restaurants where patrons bring their own alcohol, thanks to Pennsylvania's strict liquor laws. People in Philly don't seem as obsessed with their careers It's an annoying truism that in Washington, DC, people are more likely to ask what you do for a living before they ask your name. Since nearly everyone I meet moved here for a job, it makes sense that career choice is top of mind when meeting someone new. However, I think most people are far more than their work, and deeply dislike that many people in DC prefer to be known by their profession. In Philadelphia, there are plenty of people with successful careers. However, what they do to earn a living isn't usually the first thing you learn about someone. Instead, Philadelphians are more likely to ask what you do in your free time, your favorite restaurants, or your family background as a way to search for common ground. Although I miss a lot about home, I have no plans to leave DC These are just a few of many things I miss about my hometown. I don't have plans to move back, but I'm grateful I still get to visit often and have as much tomato pie as I'd like. My life would be wildly different if I'd never left Philadelphia, but I'm glad DC has been such a great place to land. And even though my kids are all native Washingtonians, you can find our family wearing green anytime we head back to Philly for an Eagles game.
Scottish Sun
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I visited Philadelphia – the home of Rocky & the birthplace of the USA, full of fascinating history & incredible food
PHILADELPHIA is a city that punches way above its weight - and I'm not just talking about the iconic Rocky statue that looks out over the classy metropolis. The 'City of Brotherly Love' is the birthplace of the United States and is packed full of rich history, art, culture and fantastic cuisine from around the world. Advertisement 9 Philadelphia skyline Credit: Getty 9 Our man at the Rocky statue 9 Philadelphia - a classy city on Amerca's east coast 9 The Philly skyline with the William Penn statue atop City Hall You can stroll from one side of town to the other in around an hour - before running the final 48 steps up the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art stairs immortalised by Sylverter Stallone in the 1976 movie. Known as Philly to the locals, you can now fly direct from Scotland for the first time in six years with American Airlines. I wasted no time in taking up the opportunity to immerse myself in the city that is extremely proud of the warm welcome it gives visitors, along with a cultural experience to rival anywhere in the world. Philly is sometimes known as the 'City of Firsts'. It was the first capital of the United States and the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both signed at Independence Hall. Advertisement It's also home to America's first skyscraper, the PSFS tower built in 1932 - now transformed from a bank into the luxury Loews Hotel, my base for the week. 9 The luxury Loews Hotel is now in the historic PSFS building 9 Many of the rooms at Loews have panoramic views over the city It's an art deco masterpiece and retains all the charm of the 1930s while incorporating modern touches to satisfy the most exacting of clients. Advertisement From your well appointed room, with all mod cons and lots of comfy pillows, you can plot your day's adventures with a panoramic view across the city. My first port of call was the hotel's classy eaterie Bank & Bourbon. The signature cocktails were a knockout and the menu, a mix of American and fusion flavours, was equally fab. The spa was also particular favourite of mine with a sauna and steam room to relax and invigorate weary travellers. Advertisement Philadelphia Eagles get their revenge with hammering that proves Patrick Mahomes still has a long way to go to catch GOAT Tom Brady Just across the road from the hotel was the absolute must-visit for foodies - the Reading Terminal Market. Around 80 different vendors from all over the world ply their trade in the former railway warehouse and it is quite simply magic. I arranged a guided tour with City Food Tours to make sure I didn't miss anything. 9 Foodies heaven Reading Terminal Market Credit: Daniel Knoll Advertisement There's American cuisine like cajun and gumbo, pancakes, burgers and the famous Philly cheesesteaks. But they also have Central American, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Moroccan, Japanese…and an Irish pub called Molly Molloy's. There's always an Irish pub! My guide said that food brings people together and that's what Philadelphia was all about, it's not called the City of Brotherly Love for nothing. Speaking of Irish pubs, the city's oldest bar, McGillan's, was just around the corner from the market. Advertisement 9 McGillan's Old Ale House Opened in 1860, the legendary watering hole even survived prohibition and was absolutely bouncing when I arrived - probably because the local baseball team, the Phillies, were playing. The cool funky vibe was maintained in every restaurant I visited. Jim's on South Street was a rite of passage for a cheesesteak while the Harp and Crown was a classy dinner joint for a Friday night. Advertisement Chris' Jazz Cafe was like going back in time. I had the jambalaya while the live band entertained us with exceptional tunes, both new and old. Talking of going back in time, no visit to Philly is complete without checking out Independence Hall, the birthplace of the nation. The building has been lovingly maintained from the days in 1776 when America came into being and broke away from the British Empire. Across the road, the Liberty Bell is one of the most recognisable symbols of freedom across the globe. Advertisement 9 Gordon, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in the background It became a powerful sight during the abolition of slavery and, despite cracking over the centuries, has stayed a massive part of the American identity. Nearby, the Museum of the American Revolution is another must-visit part of Philly. The immersive experience brings the fight for independence to life and is a fascinating walk through the tumultuous time. Advertisement It was heartening to see so many schooltrips there to help the kids understand where they had come from and the struggles their forefathers had to create their own nation. History buffs will also love the tour of City Hall and the William Penn statue which towers above downtown. Penn was granted the land now called Pennsylvania and the monument in his honour was created by Scot Alexander Calder. There is also the story that the city's sports teams began losing when skyscrapers taller than Penn's statue were built. Advertisement So the story goes that a builder put a miniature Penn statue atop the new Comcast Tower in 2017 - another fine place to take in the view and enjoy a drink at the Skyhigh bar. The following year, the Philadelphia Eagles won their first Superbowl - and they won it again this year. GO: PHILADELPHIA GO: PHILLY GETTING THERE: American Airlines flies daily direct from Edinburgh to Philadelphia until October 5. See for best fares. STAYING THERE: For best room rates at the 5H Loews Philadelphia Hotel. See MORE INFO: See for all you need to know to visit the city. For art aficionados, the city has a dazzling array of galleries that would grace any city in the world. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is absolutely enormous and packed with valuable pieces, some of them hundreds of years old. Advertisement You could spend days exploring the three floors and not get bored. Just a few minutes walk away, the Barnes Foundation is another treasure. There are Picassos, Renoirs and fantastic art that can't be seen anywhere else in the world. On the other side of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a museum dedicated to the man himself. Advertisement He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and was a scientist among many other things, including being a signatory to the Declaration of Independence. The building that bears his name, the Franklin Institute, is an awe-inspiring celebration of cutting edge science and technology, delivered in an easy-to-understand way. As if that wasn't enough art, the South Philly Art Tour by WeVenture is another must. The two hour wander around the funky neighbourhood is illustrated by street art by Isaiah Zagar. Advertisement His mosaics that cover entire building walls and lanes tell stories about the people who stay in the area - some alive and some as a tribute in death - along with his views on historic events. It's a lifetime's work that surrounds you and it's incredible stuff to see. On my walk home, I decided to have a seat at Dilworth Park, just outside the City Hall. An impromptu live gig was taking place with Motown classics being played while a local councillor was dancing with a delighted citizen. Advertisement Everyone was smiling and chatting in the sun, no matter their race or background. That will be my abiding memory of Philadelphia - a city for all and an experience for all to enjoy.
Time Out
01-07-2025
- Time Out
Spirit Airlines is celebrating July 4th with flights as low as $49 to iconic U.S. destinations
This Independence Day, Spirit Airlines is celebrating American history and affordable travel with a five-day flash sale that includes fares as low as $49 one way to iconic destinations around the country. From now through July 5, you can book a budget-friendly summer getaway to some of America's most historic and vibrant cities like Philadelphia, Boston and Washington D.C. The travel window runs from July 22 to September 13, 2025, with flights available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays only (blackout dates run from August 27–September 2, over Labor Day weekend). That's a pretty sweet window for low-cost summer travel. "This July Fourth, we're helping travelers declare independence from high fares with our special five-day offer," said Rana Ghosh, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Spirit Airlines. "Guests looking for a fun summer vacation can take advantage of our high-value travel options to explore some of our country's most notable historic destinations." Spirit's low fares can take you to Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Snap a selfie with the Liberty Bell then eat your way through Reading Terminal Market. Or head to Boston, where you can walk the Freedom Trail and dive into the history of the American Revolution. Then dig into some chowder and soak up the New England charm. Find low fares to Washington, D.C. where you can explore the National Mall, tour Smithsonian museums and check out the Star-Spangled Banner's birthplace. Fly to Charleston where you can walk cobblestone streets, visit antebellum mansions and soak up Southern charm in one of the nation's most photogenic cities. And for a dose of culture, head to the cradle of jazz. New Orleans delivers history, culture, food and nightlife like nowhere else.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Transit cuts would pose an ‘existential threat' to Philadelphia's Center City, business owners say
PHILADELPHIA - At Reading Terminal Market, CEO Annie Allman says, there's a common refrain among merchants during bad weather: "If SEPTA is running, the market is open." Now, Allman said, the phrase seems foreboding. What will happen if SEPTA reduces service, eliminating dozens of bus and Regional Rail lines? She is "horrified" by the possibility. "I've never used the phrase existential threat as much," said Allman, who is CEO and general manager of the nonprofit Reading Terminal Market Corp. "This would just cripple Philadelphia, and it also would crush the market." The proposed cuts, announced last month, would slash the transit agency's service by 45%, with reductions beginning this fall. Trains and buses would run less frequently, and 55 bus routes and five Regional Rail lines would be eliminated entirely. That could all be avoided if the Pennsylvania legislature manages to pass Gov. Josh Shapiro's latest proposal to increase state aid for mass transit systems. Last Monday was the first day of public budget hearings, and SEPTA users lined up to testify. The state budget deadline is June 30. Philadelphia leaders, commuters, and even the city's pro sports teams have expressed "deep concerns" about the planned cuts. Traffic projections have shown the move would result in longer commutes, with about 275,000 more people driving into Philadelphia daily. Several employers and business leaders said they worry there is not enough parking in the city to accommodate them. Inside the largely empty concourse at Suburban Station, SEPTA's potential cuts loom over the few remaining business owners, who say foot traffic and sales are a fraction of what they were pre-pandemic. And in the office buildings that tower over Center City, the possibility complicates the debate around return-to-office policies. "We don't need any more deterrence to come into the city," said Brenton Hutchinson, chair of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Philadelphia. "We want to see something resolved, and sooner the better, so that there's no disruptions." The impact of the proposed cuts would be "so far-reaching and so deep," said Chellie Cameron, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. SEPTA connects suburban residents to their jobs in the city, and city dwellers to suburban offices, Cameron said. Consumers, patients, and students also rely on SEPTA. If cuts are implemented, "it's gonna fracture the connections that we have between the city and the suburbs," she said, "and that's really the underpinning of the success of our economy." "When we start to talk about bigger issues like upward economic mobility, and how we continue to create good-paying jobs for people," she added, "how are we gonna do that if [the system] we actually rely upon to connect our region together is fractured?" Philly workers would be 'tremendously affected' Scores of Philadelphia workers would have their daily lives upended by SEPTA cuts. "You will be adding hours to people's commutes every week," Cameron said, "and that doesn't just impact their ability to get into work. It impacts their ability to access childcare, to pick their kids up from school." Businesses are afraid of losing employees because of these ancillary impacts, she said. Employees of Philadelphia libraries, water and sanitation departments, and other municipal services will be "tremendously affected," by the proposed cuts, said Greg Boulware, president of their union, AFSCME District Council 33. "This will impact their ability to get to and from work and provide the services that the city of Philadelphia needs for all its residents," said Boulware, who represents around 10,000 workers. DC33 members are feeling "a huge amount of frustration," he said. Some are talking about using Uber or Lyft to get to work, but Boulware calls that an added expense "for workers that don't make enough money as it is." At Comcast, leaders are "discussing the challenges the planned cuts could bring," spokesperson John Demming said. And at Philadelphia International Airport, "Reliable mass transit makes working at the airport a viable option for many individuals," airport officials said in a statement shared by a PHL spokesperson. A setback to return-to-office policies Five years after COVID-19 shutdowns forced many professionals to work from home, some Philadelphia employers are still pushing to get their employees back in the office more often. SEPTA's woes are another hurdle for those ambitions. Although some workers have argued in favor of continued remote or hybrid work for myriad reasons, dramatic reductions in SEPTA service are seen by employers as the most reasonable argument against return-to-office efforts. Brandywine Realty Trust, one of the region's predominant office owners, reports that 50% to 60% of its tenants' workers use mass transit, even as public transportation usage never fully recovered from the pandemic. "If mass transit schedules are impacted, the issue is: Can they bring people back into work?" said Jerry Sweeney, CEO of Brandywine. In the event of cuts, Sweeney said, some of Brandywine's tenants are considering reserving additional parking, or modifying work hours so employees could commute at off-peak times. "The world of business today is already complicated with the macroeconomic climate," Sweeney said. "This is something that no business needs." Philadelphia's office market took a blow during the pandemic, and it has not recovered. The number of workers in offices in the core West Market Street district at the end of 2024 was only 63% of what it was in 2019. (That's 11% higher than 2023.) A report from real estate brokerage Colliers showed that in the first quarter of 2025, office vacancy ticked up in both Philadelphia and the suburbs, although it remains higher outside the city. Some office market analysts speculate that the proposed SEPTA cuts could make suburban office buildings more appealing, because it would be easier for workers who live in the suburbs to drive to locations outside Center City, where parking is more plentiful. Impact on Reading Terminal Market Some businesses with deep roots in Philadelphia will be left to deal with the fallout of SEPTA cuts if they occur. Reading Terminal Market sits atop SEPTA's Jefferson Station, where Regional Rail passengers catch trains, walking distance from several bus stops and subway stations. Monday through Thursday, Reading Terminal serves about 16,000 customers on average, said Allman, the CEO. That's up from 14,500 at this time last year, before the city implemented its return-to-office mandate. And "the bulk" of the market's 600 employees rely on public transit, she said. Allman does not know yet how the market would respond to SEPTA cuts. It may have to adjust operating hours. "Between all the good news of rising egg prices, and tariffs, and lack of international visitors this summer, I haven't really gotten to forecasting," she said with a laugh. For now, however, Reading Terminal is thriving, with nearly full occupancy, Allman said. Across the street at the Fashion District, occupancy is lower, but dozens of businesses are humming along, fueled by steady foot traffic. Suburban Station business owners worry A few blocks away at Suburban Station, the scene is different, with more at stake for business owners if transit is cut. The sprawling underground concourse, a bustling corridor on weekdays pre-pandemic, now has more closed storefronts than operating businesses. On a recent Thursday morning, foot traffic was light, and conversations with about half a dozen business owners and managers painted a grim picture of their potential future. More than 6,200 square feet of retail space is for lease, while several other large storefronts simply sit vacant, apparently not on the market. Business owners said sales are 20% to 50% of what they were before the pandemic. The concourse is so bleak, one business owner said, that commuters are increasingly exiting at the first opportunity, instead of walking farther underground and passing the stores as they once did. Some owners expressed concern that SEPTA cuts could worsen their situations, both by decimating the already-thin foot traffic and by making it harder for their employees to get to work. It would be just the latest blow. "We survived, kind of," said Michael Choi, manager of Penn Center Beauty Supply, referring to the pandemic. But business now is "slow, very slow." "It hasn't been good ever since COVID," said Kris Kim, owner of DBA Happy Jewelry. Pre-pandemic, the store would see more than 50 customers a day. Now, Kim said, they're lucky if a dozen people come in. When it comes to the future, "we're worried." Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Axios
05-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
What's new at Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market might look a little different next time you're there. Why it matters: The 132-year-old public marketplace is regularly updating its offerings to bring Philadelphians something new. State of play: The market recently added two restaurants: Uncle Gus' Steaks and Bao & Bun Studio. Plus, it'll welcome a Lancaster County-based fresh produce vendor this spring, possibly as early as April, per Billy Penn. The intrigue: Reading Terminal Market is extending a day cart program, which typically runs from October to December. It allows small vendors to set up inside the marketplace for days or weeks — and has served as a pathway for some businesses to become full-time vendors. What we're watching: The market plans to launch initiatives, including opening an outdoor space on Filbert Street and adding flourishes to maintain its historic aura, as part of a five-year growth and sustainability plan, per Billy Penn.
